Supplementing feed with Pediococcus acidilactici reduces Campylobacter load in finishing pigs

BackgroundPigs are asymptomatic carriers of foodborne bacteria, such as Salmonella enterica and Campylobacter species, which can pose a risk to human health. New strategies to control bacteria burden before reaching the slaughterhouse are necessary. This study evaluated the effect of Pediococcus aci...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Veterinary record 2020-09, Vol.187 (6), p.e45-e45
Main Authors: Morales-Partera, Ángela, Cardoso Toset, Fernando, Luque, Inmaculada, Maldonado, Alfonso, Tarradas, Carmen, Gómez-Laguna, Jaime
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Feed - microbiology
Animals
Bacteria
Binding sites
Body Weight
Campylobacter
Campylobacter - drug effects
campylobacter spp
E coli
faecal microbiota
Feces - microbiology
Feeds
free‐range finishing pigs
Hogs
Pediococcus acidilactici
Probiotics
Proteins
Random Allocation
Salmonella
Swine
Swine Diseases - microbiology
Swine Diseases - prevention & control
Treatment Outcome
Veterinary medicine
Weaning
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Summary:BackgroundPigs are asymptomatic carriers of foodborne bacteria, such as Salmonella enterica and Campylobacter species, which can pose a risk to human health. New strategies to control bacteria burden before reaching the slaughterhouse are necessary. This study evaluated the effect of Pediococcus acidilactici on performance parameters and on the burden of foodborne pathogens, that have subsequent implications on food quality and safety, in free-range finishing pigs at the slaughterhouse.MethodsPigs were randomly allocated and blocked by weight into control group (control diet) and treated group (control diet supplemented with P acidilactici) 31 days before slaughter. Weight and average daily gain were recorded and changes in faecal microbiota were determined at the beginning and at the end of the study.ResultsNo changes were observed in performance parameters. No statistically significant differences were observed when comparing between treated and control animals at the beginning or at the end of the study. However, a significant decrease was detected in the counts of Campylobacter species in treated animals between day 0 and day 31 (4.86–3.40 log colony-forming units/g; P=0.002).ConclusionThis study indicates that supplementation with P acidilactici represents a useful approach to control Campylobacter species load in free-range finishing pigs before slaughter.
ISSN:0042-4900
2042-7670
DOI:10.1136/vr.105591